Thursday, September 15, 2005

Orange-chocolate mousse

My sweetheart's favourite cake is chocolate-orange cake - and Nigella's simple and heavenly storecupboard chocolate orange cake is one of my staples here. However, I wasn't on a cakey mood last weekend, so I followed the Greek hob-to-table moussaka with chocolate orange mousse. Yummy.

Again, the original recipe comes from a Finnish website - this time from their biggest dairy producers, Valio. I did adjust it a little - replacing lemon juice and vanilla extract with orange juice, as well as using orange chocolate (well, I was trying to 'replace' a chocolate-orange cake here, remember:) I also slightly played with the amounts this time, upping the amount of cream cheese. Here's my version. Second time I made it, and still pleased with it.

Cream the cream cheese with a mixer or a wooden spoon, season with orange juice (and a dash of Grand Marnier, perhaps?) .Whip the double cream/whipping cream with sugar, fold into the cream cheese mixture.Melt the chocolate (leave a small piece aside for garnish) in a microwave, cool a little and stir into the cream cheese mixture.Put into small glasses. Grate some chocolate on top.Put into the fridge until ready to serve.

Clare - thanks! I don't know if 'getting over choc overload' is possible - I can never have enough!! But do give this simple mousse a try, should it ever happen:)

Paz - it is good & easy! And I will definitely share my choc&orange cake soon!

Shauna - thanks. The tablecloth is a present from a friend in Edinburgh (thanks, Kweku!!!), who bought it in Japan. I really like those teddy bears:)

Joey - the cake will follow! Re: Finnish recipes - I couldn't find any in English on Valio site either. But pay a visit to Finfood site - www.finfood.fi - they have quite a few recipes in English. Or just let me know if you want something specific - happy to translate them for you!

Angelika - looks like there's quite a demand for my (sorry, Nigella's) choc&orange cake. What can I do, I must obey and bake one asap:) Thanks for your good wishes!

Hi J - you're welcome! I really liked the slight tartness of cream cheese combined with the sweetness of chocolate. (Am still in awe about your yet another fabulous post!)

And Thanasis - I'm glad you liked the mousse. You get your cake next time:)

Pille, thank you for posting this!! I was in a mood for a decadent dessert, but wanted something quick and simple. This fitted the bill perfectly!! It is really delicious!! I'll be eating it with raspberries - yum!!